ORGANISERS had ample reason to be thrilled as the Upper Horton Sports Ground was abuzz with rodeo activity on Friday and Saturday while campdrafting took place from Thursday to Sunday.
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The four days incorporated the Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association (ABCRA) Championship Campdraft.
Friday and Sunday each had 476 runs while the first and third days had 440 and 501 respectively, while additional numbers for finals meant there were more than 2000 runs altogether.
Attendants came from places including Bingara, Barraba, Manilla, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia.
Upper Horton Rodeo committee secretary Peter Kelly noted that because entries were taken on the day, it was impossible to gauge the numbers.
“We didn’t have a clue when we started on Thursday what the numbers would be,” Kelly said.
“We were promised 3000 head of cattle to use out of the local district.”
Kelly noted that the event had been held each year since the second World War, and started as a one-day event before gradually increasing to four days.
“For a little village of about 50 people, to do this is an amazing achievement, and for the district,” Kelly said.
Kelly deemed that overall the four-day event was “hugely successful”.
Kelly alluded to the number of events that had been run, and also said: “The quality of the cattle’s been outstanding.”
Kelly expressed his gratitude to all cattle donors as well as the truck drivers. Committee member Stewart Steiger made special mention of Sutcliffe Transport in Gunnedah, saying: “We can’t thank them enough for the work they do for us.”
With a lot of families in attendance and a mix of regulars and newcomers at the event, Kelly said “a lot of fun was had”.
Live music on Saturday night was another aspect that generated plenty of fun.
For the record, local riders fared well as Dylan McKinnon, Lance Kelehear and Peter Balmain were among the victors.
Kim Cameron won the encouragement draft when riding Rocko on Thursday, while Kathy De Jong won the ladies draft when riding Maggie.
On Friday, Ally Weston won the junior draft when riding Birdie, while McKinnon won the juvenile draft when riding Sunset. Kelehear won the maiden draft as he rode Princess.
On Saturday, Jack Gallagher won the prestigious Stephen King Memorial open draft as he rode Moore Gold.
Troy Palmer won Saturday’s open for open draft, riding Impressive Destiny.
Peter Balmain won Sunday’s novice draft A while John Henry was the name of the winning horse, before another rider named Peter won novice draft B.
